Artful and Accomplished Jazz Doublers

In the language of jazz, “doubling” means playing more than one instrument (not at the same time, c.f. Wilbur Sweatman and Rahsaan Roland Kirk). Doubling isn’t that unusual. For example, many people play trumpet and fluegelhorn, but those horns are very similar and are played essentially the same way. Although most saxophonists specialize in one sax, many play other members of the sax family when it’s called for—not that difficult, thanks to the clever system that Adolphe Sax invented. Many saxophonists also play flute—a different embouchure and a bit of a stretch, but still expected for professionals. More credit might be due sax players who can credibly double on clarinet, an instrument whose fingering system is different enough to provoke frustrated grumbles from sax players. Then, there are people who play credible piano, apart from whatever horn they play—this has become pretty de rigeur (Dizzy Gillespie was a prime mover in this trend). And many horn players also sing. Again, not real doubling. Lower brass players often double on trombone and tuba/euphonium. This is more challenging, as you have to master both slide and valves. But, it’s akin to playing stand-up bass and electric bass—different and still doesn’t satisfy the criteria I set up for the rare cohort I’m singling out. I realize I might get in trouble with some folks by, as they might say, putti